Snow!

Last night saw a decent amount of snow falling over the UK, and here in Essex we got some too, so today I went for a walk to my local park to get some photos.  Nice though the park is, there aren't too many broader views to take in, so I found myself concentrating on the smaller details, and shooting quite a few close-up and abstract shots. Here's a selection...

The first two shots are very similar in composition, guided partly by the need to refresh the TV display in Cameraworld in Chelmsford, so I was conscious of the widescreen TV format required for this.  These are both fairly abstract, the second more so, and it's one reason I like snow.


Pentax K-5, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 lens @ f/9.5, 1/45s, ISO80, tripod.


Pentax K-5, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 lens @ f/9.5, 1/45s, ISO80, tripod.

In the woodland at the park, I loved the graphic look of the trees with snow plastered along one side of the trunk, and again I was drawn to the abstract, here also converting to black and white.


Pentax K-5, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 lens @ f/9.5, 1/20s, ISO80, tripod.

A macro shot now, just a shoot poking out from a hornbeam tree trunk, but with great snow crystals along the top.  I used my black hat as a backdrop, which really highlights the form and colour of the subject, which was otherwise a bit lost in a white background.


Pentax K-5, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 lens @ f/9.5, 1/4s, ISO80, tripod.

Again I was attracted to foliage protruding from the snow, here a small dead flower stem is again given the contrasty black and white treatment.


Pentax K-5, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 lens @ f/9.5, 1/30s, ISO80, tripod.

My most abstract shot of the day; the fresh undisturbed snow, with a variety of shapes scattered across the image, appealed to my eye.


Pentax K-5, Pentax DA16-45mm f/4 lens @ 34mm, f/9.5, 1/30s, ISO80, tripod.

The most 'normal' picture of the walk, I've used this tree before when shooting bluebells, so thought I'd take advantage of the possibilities given by the arrival of the snow.


Pentax K-5, Pentax FA50mm f/1.4 lens @ f/3.5, 1/180s, ISO80, tripod.

Well, it was a very nice walk, and a welcome change in the weather (for me, I know it's not everyone's cup of tea).  Best to take advantage of this sort of thing while it lasts.